Fence-wire stretcher and tightener.



No. 649,524. Patented May I5, 1900..

- .1. m. NAPIER.

FENCE WIRE STRETGHER AND TIGHTENER.

(Application filed May 24, 1899.)

NOModel.)

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UNTTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. NAPIER, OF TRINIDAD, COLORADO.

FENCE-WIRE STRETCHER AND TIGHTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,524, dated May 15, 1900.

Application filed May 24, 1899. Serial No. 718,074. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known thatI, J AMES M. NAPIER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Trinidad, in the county of Las Animas and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence JVire Stretchers and Tighteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fence-wire stretchers and tighteners; and one object of my invention is the provision of a device of this kind which will stretch the wire and hold it while being fastened and which will tighten the wire when loose and hold it while being fastened.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a fence-wire stretcher and tightener which is very simple, durable, and inexpensive, thus producing a very useful and practical article.

To attain the desired objects, the invention consists of a fence-wire stretcher and tightener embodying novel features of construction and arrangement-of parts substantially as disclosed herein.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in use stretching or drawing a wire to a post. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device in position ready to tighten a fence-wire. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the device in the position of holding the wire after tightening it, and Fig. 4 is a detached view of the parts of the device.

In the drawings, A designates the long lever or arm, upon whose outer end is formed the hook B, and upon the other end is the hooked claw and squared shoulder O, and near this claw is the curved or arched portion D, which is adapted to fit closely against a fence-post, as shown in Fig. 1. Through the body of this lever, near the'curved portion, is an opening E, through which is adapted to pass the pin or bolt F, which is adapted to pass through the openings G in the ends of the pieces or plates H. Upon one edge of these plates, near the other end thereof, are the notches or recesses J, which form hooks to grasp the wire when being tightened, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

From this description the operation of this device is readily understood; but, briefly stated, it is as follows: As shown in Fig. 1, the wire is grasped in the teeth K of the claw O and the lever is then brought backward around a fence-post, and when the wire is stretched to the desired point one of the side pieces or plates H is placed upon the hook B of the lever and one of the notches of the plate is placed upon the wire, which is nearly parallel with the lever, and the wire is held fast in order that it may be secured by a staple. When it is desired to tighten a fence-wire or to bring it close to a post and fasten it thereto, I secure the plates H upon both sides of the lever near the curved portion by means of the bolt, which is passed through the openings in the plates and lever, and it will be seen that by placing the lever parallel with the fence-post and causing opposite notches or recesses of the plates to engage the fencewire and that by pulling downward upon the lever the wire is brought close to the post, and

as the lever assumes the position shown in Fig. 3 the claw upon the end will cause the lever to hold the wire in a rigid position while being fastened to the post.

It is evident that I provide a fence-wire stretcher and tightener which is the embodiment of simplicity, durability, and cheapness, and one which is very practical and useful.

I claim-- A device of this character, consisting of a long lever provided with a hook upon one end, a clawed hook and squared shoulder upon the other end, a curved portion near the claw end, and an opening near the clawed end; a bolt adapted to fit in the opening; and

wire-grasping plates provided with openings to fit upon said bolt or upon the hooked end of the lever and also a series of notches or recesses to grasp the wire.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. NAPIER.

Witnesses:

E. F. GREEN, 0. F. TIPTON. 

